Buxani bats for leap in ties

Dubai - The UAE looks at India seriously and positive response from the country will benefit both countries and their people, said Dr Buxani.

The UAE and India aim to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, ITL Cosmos Group chairman Dr Ram Buxani has said.
Dr Buxani is part of the business delegation which in turn is part of the high-level UAE government delegation led by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to India today.
The UAE looks at India seriously and positive response from the country will benefit both countries and their people, said Dr Buxani.The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi's, visit to the UAE took place barely six months ago after a gap of 34 years and the past six months have witnessed visits to the UAE by services chiefs, finance and foreign ministers and several high ranking officials. Reciprocally, similar visits have been made from the UAE side, too.Responding to a question on the expectations of the Indian business community in the UAE, Dr Buxani said both sides are moving in positive directions.
The level of the present visit to India is so high and the delegation itself so big, one cannot form any other opinion but expect a phenomenal boost."I feel we should weigh the progress made from the sincerity shown from both sides. Involvement of Indian traders settled in the UAE for decades is further demonstration of the faith and trust the UAE has in India and Indians," he said.
Both countries have agreed to work together to control, regulate and share information on the flow of funds and that could have a bearing on radicalisation activities. The countries have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in law enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug trafficking, trans-national crimes, extradition arrangements, as well as police training.
"India is gradually being identified as a defence equipment supplier in place of blue collar and white collar human resource. This is, indeed, a big shift in mindset. India is actually a potential defence equipment manufacturing base and UAE investment can be productively geared towards that," Dr Buxani said. "I am sure the UAE is visiting India with a positive attitude. If India can convince the UAE of its capability to take care of its wish list, there shouldn't be any problem with the $75 billion infrastructure fund becoming functional," he added.
abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com

• India